Mentoring and developing coaches is the goal of the Niagara College men’s soccer program.
“Our group has always done that. You have to share. As a coach, mentoring and sharing is a huge part of your own continued development. It also keeps you honest and fresh as a coach. I am still a mentee in some capacity and I still embrace having trusted voices around me, starting with Rino Berardi, who got me into coaching in 1989 and (we’ve been) working together ever since, and Gerry D’Angelo who has taught me so much about how the goalkeeper fits into the big picture,” Niagara head coach Frank DeChellis said. “The other thing is that we are not going to be around forever.”
It is also a way for Niagara College to return the favour for what others have done.
“The sports community develops our student-athletes before they come to us, so NC has to contribute however we can to build that pool of prospects,” he said. “Michele (Niagara College athletics director O’Keefe) encourages and expects us to be involved in developing community coaches.”
Since 2012, DeChellis has served as a coach developer for Ontario Soccer, delivering coaching education in Ontario.
DeChellis’ mentoring includes his own staff which recently saw Andrew Currie and Stephane Emard earn C-License Diplomas from Canada Soccer.
“I have learned a lot from Andrew and Stef during their journey, and everybody we work with,” DeChellis said.
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